Page 44 of A Raven Revived

“We need to go back.”

“Yes, sir.” He took a large gulp of his tea before handing the cup off to the groom and climbing up into his seat.

Fitz settled beside him, surprising the man once again. “I need to be able to watch the road,” he explained. “Daisy isn’t here, and I think she may be on foot somewhere along the way.”

There was no sign of her as they made the return journey to his family’s estate. He prayed she was inside waiting for him.

“Have you seen Daisy?” he asked the butler. “Lady Jane, I mean.”

He shook his head. “No, sir.”

His brother came trotting down the stairs then, dressed in riding attire. “I didn’t expect you to be up so early, Gerry. Care to join me for a ride?”

“Have you seen Daisy? Is she here?”

“I thought she was staying with her family.”

“She isn’t there now. Her father says she ran off.”

His brother raised his brow. “Oh dear.” He didn’t sound very concerned though.

“What does that mean?”

“Well,” he said with a shrug. “It would appear she’s jilted you too.”

It took every ounce of his control not to punch his brother in the face. “She hasn’t bloody jilted me!”

“Come now. We both know she’s capable of it.”

She couldn’t have. He looked desperately around the room as if she might just appear. Could she? He looked back into his brother’s eyes which had filled with pity.

“Why?” It was the only word he could manage.

His brother shrugged. “Perhaps her parents convinced her she shouldn’t marry you.”

Was it possible? But he knew the answer to that. Of course it was possible. She’d already run from him once before, when she’d gone up to Ash’s estate. But that was different. Wasn’t it? Had she really run away again? Pain lanced his heart. If she’d changed her mind about marrying him, why hadn’t she just told him?

“Where would she go?”

His brother shrugged again. “You’d know better than I. You’re the one who found her after the last time.”

Raven Row. That’s where she’d go, but it was such a long way from here. He turned to leave, and his brother grasped his shoulder.

“Where are you going?”

“To find her.”

“Why don’t you just let her go?”

“I love her, Geoffrey, and whether she wants me or not, I have to know she’s safe.”

ChapterThirteen

Daisy had woken up ready to fight again and quickly found herself plunged into the cold water. It was startling how grateful she felt when they pulled her out. She didn’t want to be thankful for anything they did.

“Lift your arms.” The man in the white coat stood before her, completely emotionless.

“Please don’t make me do this.”

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